Pop giants Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber have performed for thousands of spectators at the World Cup final in a half-time show to rival the Superbowl.

Madonna, who sung her hit song Music – seemed to appear from tunnels under the arena, joined by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

The performances came in a half-time that ran to 27 minutes and 22 seconds – the longest in World Cup history.

The length of the half-time show had already caused controversy, with the International Football Association Board (Ifab) rules stating players are only entitled to a maximum 15-minute stoppage.

Colombian pop star Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy reunited on stage after performing together at the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City last month.

K-Pop supergroup BTS, meanwhile, have been making their comeback from a three-year music hiatus to complete their mandatory military service in South Korea.

Several celebrities were spotted watching on, including Kylie Jenner and her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet, as well as Beyonce and Jay-Z.

Earlier, a range of performances began the sporting event's closing ceremony, including Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem and a speech from actor Tom Cruise.

Streamer IShowSpeed took to the field at the New York New Jersey Stadium first, alongside drummers and dancers in vibrant tracksuits.

Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini also performed together, while rapper and singer Post Malone also performed his hit song Wow.

Ahead of kick-off, multi-award-winning singer and actor Jennifer Hudson performed the US national anthem, accompanied by a live band.

After the performances, Tom Cruise took to the stage to introduce the match.

"From every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness, and we have shared in moments of joy," he told the crowd. "Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people."

Italian singer Pausini told the BBC she had goosebumps when Williams invited her to sing alongside him.

But not everyone was thrilled by the performances half-time performance.

Former England player Wayne Rooney, who was part of the commentary team for the BBC, gave his instant reaction: "I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap."